持之以恒

Pronunciation: chí zhī yǐ héng Literal meaning: Persist with perseverance

Origin & Usage

The idiom 持之以恒 (chí zhī yǐ héng) is commonly used in classical Chinese to emphasize the importance of perseverance and consistent effort over time. The phrase was popularized by Zeng Guofan, a prominent Qing dynasty official, who advised his son Zeng Jize to overcome his shortcomings by maintaining steadfast dedication in his studies. Zeng Jize's journey of learning English, despite initial difficulties, exemplifies this idiom. He persisted in his studies, eventually mastering the language and successfully using it in diplomatic missions. The characters 持 (chí) mean 'to hold,' 之 (zhī) means 'it,' 以 (yǐ) means 'with,' and 恒 (héng) means 'perseverance.' In modern usage, this idiom encourages individuals to persistently pursue their goals, highlighting that success often requires long-term commitment.

Examples

English: "With unwavering determination, she completed her marathon training despite the challenges."

Chinese: 她在面对挑战时，持之以恒地完成了马拉松训练。